Exile Upgrade -- Surf Pkg 2, ZLD, & Bluetooth

[168rod]

Well, we finally got tired of listening to the stock tower speakers and decided to upgrade to Exile SXT9qs. First, a big thank you to everyone on the forum for posting their upgrade opinions, ideas, and install discussions; all were very useful in my upgrade decision and very helpful with my install.

Secondly and probably more important, I can't thank Brian and Bill from Exile enough. They definitely know the meaning of customer service! I had calls with Brian on Saturday and Sunday ... He answered my novice questions very professionally and supported me with my install and told me to call him anytime ... Exile rocks both in support and sound!

What I purchased:

- SXT9q Surf Package 2 -- 2 pair SXT9q Tower Speakers (360 degree rotating clamps), 1 XM30.2 Amplifier
- Zone Controller MKII KIT -- ZLD MKII Controller + Crimp Terminal, 4-20ft RCA Cables, 20ft of Power, Ground, and Remote Wire
- Premium Bluetooth LE Music Receiver - EXBT4

Friday FedEx showed up with a bunch of goodies!

Installation:

- Saturday -- Determined speaker location, which led me to spending appx 4-hrs drilling and running speaker wire. I had to run a drill bit in the cross bar speaker wire access hole to drill an access hole into the port outer tube to run my wires. As many pointed out, there's an access hole in the starboard (tower light wire), but not on the port side. Unfortunately, when the dealership installed my tower speakers, they drilled an access hole in port tube and externally ran the wires; however, I did find a black nylon plug at a local hardware store that fit perfectly (shown in pic). Next, I roughed in RCAs and ZLD wires around the bow and swapped out my 380W amp with my new Exile 840W!!!! Total time appx 11-hrs ... All of this left me with a greater appreciation for those folks who install audio systems for a living!

Sunday -- Ran new speakers through stock Sony head unit, ROCKED out and boated all day! Plus had a call with Brian ...

Monday -- Installed ZLD (under steering wheel/under dash), zipped tied all wires and cleaned-up all wire runs. Also, installed Bluetooth, which is a very easy install. BT is located under dash and RCAs plug into ZLD AUX and BT pwr and gnd are piggybacked off of ZLD. Had a slight glitch with the BT as it only output on the LT Channel; Bill from Exile immediately sent a replacement BT. Spent appx 5-hrs.

Total install time appx 16-hrs; again, a greater appreciation for folks who do this for a living ...

Again, Exile is extraordinary! Thank you Brian for all of your support and technical expertise and being patient with me ...

Here are some pics ... Other pics in next post.

2276422765227662276722768

[168rod]

More pics ...2276922770227712277222773

[BamaMojo]

More pics ...2276922770227712277222773

Nice looking setup! Up next sub and in boat upgrades!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bergermaister]

That has got to be the cleanest and emptiest garage I have ever seen.

Nice Ex setup too!

[168rod]

That has got to be the cleanest and emptiest garage I have ever seen.

Nice Ex setup too!

Thanks ... But not my garage; just our storage building where we keep the boat down by the lake. My wife would love it of our garage looked so clean and empty.

[168rod]

Nice looking setup! Up next sub and in boat upgrades!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks ... Looking at installing LEDs next.

[brain_rinse]

Very nice!

[kaneboats]

So sweet! Congrats! Now get on the water!

[Rugburn]

Great looking rack. Just got the same setup this summer and completely love it. Im interested in adding LED's to the tower speakers too. Post photos as you start that project. Id like to see how you do it.

[168rod]

Great looking rack. Just got the same setup this summer and completely love it. Im interested in adding LED's to the tower speakers too. Post photos as you start that project. Id like to see how you do it.

Will do ... I thought yours looked familiar; same speakers and pretty much same location. I did a lot of research and the forum definitely helped with my Exile decision; SXTQ9's are awesome, loud, and clear. Good, even at wakeboard length ...

[Brianinpdx]

Welcome to the family - always fun to hear how things turn out and how it sounds on the water. For many, its a lot of hours of install that can be tedious to say the least. But in the end its usually all worth it and your an audio expert when your done. Cheers to you! -Brian

[168rod]

Thank you Brian ... Again, your customer service is second to none. Not many people would provide calls to customers on a Saturday and especially on a Sunday to help them with their install.

I've only been out three times with the new set up and each time folks are asking me what kind of system I have. Thank you ...

[BamaMojo]

Great upgrade. Now just make it warm and we will ALL be in your debt!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[c h r i s]

What did you do with the old tower speakers??


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[168rod]

In the basement in the exile boxes with the amp.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ghebert1111]

In the basement in the exile boxes with the amp.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

So I guess the question is, are you going to sell the stock tower speakers?

[168rod]

Sure ... Here are a couple of pics and bargain basement pricing:

Pair of speakers: $125 plus shipping
Amp: $75 plus shipping

Let know and if you want any of it; send me your address and get you a shipping quote (speakers are pretty heavy).


23430
23430
23431
23432
23433
23434

One more pic coming

[168rod]

23435

Last pic ... Also have 2-stock 650 bags (used 1season)

[168rod]

Speaker pic.
23436

[c h r i s]

Well chit, now we're talking. This is what I was looking for with my WTB listing in the classifieds! PM coming (presuming they're not already spoken for by gh1111).


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ghebert1111]

Well chit, now we're talking. This is what I was looking for with my WTB listing in the classifieds! PM coming (presuming they're not already spoken for by gh1111).


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I was giving you first go and I went and found some 8 inch Rockford Fosgates towers for $250 I"m in the process of acquiring.

[c h r i s]

Appreciate that. Just got off the phone with 168rod and I'm pulling the trigger on these.

[ghebert1111]

Appreciate that. Just got off the phone with 168rod and I'm pulling the trigger on these.

Great. Everyone is happy.

[ghebert1111]

168rod, thanks for posting. I was at a loss about pulling the speakers wires down the tower until you mentioned drilling a hole. It was a whole lot easier after that. Hopefully my Rockford Fosgate Tower speakers will get here soon, and spring right after that, gotta go test all my off winter upgrade.

[168rod]

No problem ... I read the post from another member about drilling a hole through the upright. Hope it works out for you; it's worth the time and effort to do it yourself.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk